My Days With Nikon Could Be Numbered

[D200freak]

I don't know. I have a D800, but I have no motivation to sell my D200 or even my D40. They all get used. I'd see no reason to ditch the D40 because it does offer the convenience of auto mode and takes great pictures if the lighting is halfway decent. The D200 earns its keep any time I want to drag out a big gun but not have 5000 dollars worth of camera and lens hanging around my neck. The D800 is what I use when I'm shooting for score.

Upgrading from prosumer to professional equipment at no cost to you is certainly a sweet deal. But I'd be in no hurry to dump any older equipment. Leave it on the shelf and see what you CHOOSE to use after you've had your new gear for a while. Keep what you use, sell what gathers dust.

It seems strange, but I'm keeping my D40 and about to sell off my D70S and my D5000 due to usage habits. On paper the D70S is better than the D40 but the D40 is more convenient for me and simpler and easier to use and I can't tell any difference in picture quality. And anything the D5000 does, the D800 does better.

 

[Danno_RIP]

Would you sell your Chevette if someone gave you a Mustang? Your Caprice if you got a T-Bird?

Like I said, I'm happy with my gear, and an "Apples to Apples" swap wouldn't necessarily make a lot of sense. But if I'm swapping out pro-sumer stuff (D610/D750) and a trio of F4 zooms for pro gear (1D/5D) and F2.8 zooms it's not really apples to apples, is it? And the plus is that anything I buy from that point on is at a price point that I couldn't touch otherwise. I'm also looking at it like moving your home. Sometimes there's stuff in boxes that you haven't unpacked since the last move and a change helps you weed out what you thought you needed and really didn't.

The main thing is that I need to like it as much as the Nikon gear, and the arrangement is such that I'll be able to shoot both until I make a decision on one or the other - and for sanity sake I need to settle on one or the other. Because, frankly, the differences are enough (focus vs. room ring position, buttons, etc.) that shooting both would be maddening.

Love that closing paragraph. That is it. Gotta be happy with the decision. Good luck ! Can't Imagine it will be easy. Like replacing your favorite pare of shoes. The new ones look good, but will they be as comfortable.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[BackdoorArts]

Pro-sumer level to the top-o-the-line level, though, there's liable to be a notable difference in that jump.

The big thing I believe I'll gain from here are FPS and buffer size on nature photography. When I'm shooting with my brother and I hear his camera spitting out frame after frame I get jealous. Figuring on full frame and one cropped. Canon's 1.6X crop will give me some extra reach on the wildlife stuff as well. It also give me an excuse to get the 150-600mm I've been putting off - though there's a chance my brother will be parting with his 120-300mm f2.8 Sigma. Not sure I want something that heavy.

 

[hark]

...there's a chance my brother will be parting with his 120-300mm f2.8 Sigma. Not sure I want something that heavy.

Lol! It's only 7.5 pounds! What is he considering to replace it? I took at look at Canon's lenses but didn't see any comparable zooms.

 

[BackdoorArts]

For those following, I had a slight misunderstanding regarding the arrangement and what was being given and what was essentially "indefinite loan". That said, I'm sitting here with an amazing bunch of equipment that I'm quite impressed with (4 bodies, a dozen lenses including all 2.8 zooms and a 300mm f2.8 that's mind numbing, flashes, triggers...).

The good news is that I get to play with stuff side-by-side for as long as I want/need. The bad news is that any new equipment I feel the need to purchase (and there's been one for a couple months) puts me in a position of making some form of commitment. Worse positions to be in. Only other down side is that I'm out of room for camera bags in my office. LOL

So anyone that was looking for a quick decision.... I'm counting on buttering him up for my birthday in 6 months. LOL

 

[hark]

So anyone that was looking for a quick decision.... I'm counting on buttering him up for my birthday in 6 months. LOL

And when is that?

Well...my first thought (after I picked my jaw up off of the floor) was to wonder how many shutter actuations are on each body. <Well, it's an important factor to consider.>

I know at one time you mentioned the more expensive Sigma tele-zoom, but without knowing what lenses you received, it's hard to guess what lens you want. In any case, have fun playing around and learning the ropes of Canon. If you have any questions on how to operate the bodies, no doubt your brother will be happy to explain!

 

[eal1]

Sometimes, I have Canon envy - especially when comparing the autofocus on my nikon D610 with my friend's
Canon 5Dmarkiii and then, i see the colors SOOC from my son in law's rebel - and i like them.

 

[BackdoorArts]

Sometimes, I have Canon envy - especially when comparing the autofocus on my nikon D610 with my friend's
Canon 5Dmarkiii and then, i see the colors SOOC from my son in law's rebel - and i like them.

One of the first things I played with over the weekend was the D1 Mkiii and a 300mm f2.8 and I was stunned by the speed of the autofocus. I'm also incredibly impressed with Canon's in-camera color rendering for JPEGs, and it's the JPEG related functions available on the Canon line that, IMHO, have kept it the clear choice for pro news photographers because they have no desire to spend anything more than a minute in post before getting their photos in. The noise reduction and other functions in the JPEG engine have made it possible to lag behind in sensor arena and still not suffer from an IQ perspective.

Your comparison is at the heart of my current situation, though you can replace the D610 with a D750. The question I am now asking myself is, "If instead of a D750 and a 70-200mm F4 I had been shooting with a D4s and a 70-200mm F2.8, would I be as impressed? And if not, how does my impression factor into whether or not I want to jump?" The good news is that I have an (almost) unlimited time available to make that decision. The bad news is there's this lens 3rd party lens I want to get and I don't want have to wait until I make that choice. LOL

 

[BackdoorArts]

Well...my first thought (after I picked my jaw up off of the floor) was to wonder how many shutter actuations are on each body. <Well, it's an important factor to consider.>

The two D1's I'm playing with will go back to my brother when I'm done no matter what. In his words, "Anything I ever shot that was worth remembering was shot with one of these." This includes the time he almost drowned in a Nat'l Guard truck in Manville, NJ (the video of the incident was all over the news and on YouTube if you go hunting). They're talismans for him. The MkIV had 420K shots before the shutter was replaced and now has another 30K on the new shutter, and the MkIII was "just serviced at 148K and still has plenty of life left on it." In his words, "Expected shutter life is like the Sell By date on food. They have to put one on there. I've never had a shutter blow up at that number. I've never had a shutter that didn't last well past that number." There's a difference in quality at the high end, for sure, so unless you're there YMMV.

 

[Marcel]

One of the first things I played with over the weekend was the D1 Mkiii and a 300mm f2.8 and I was stunned by the speed of the autofocus. I'm also incredibly impressed with Canon's in-camera color rendering for JPEGs, and it's the JPEG related functions available on the Canon line that, IMHO, have kept it the clear choice for pro news photographers because they have no desire to spend anything more than a minute in post before getting their photos in. The noise reduction and other functions in the JPEG engine have made it possible to lag behind in sensor arena and still not suffer from an IQ perspective.
<snip>

If you could try a Nikon 300 2.8 with the D750 you might be surprised at the speed of auto-focus as well. I suspect the 2.8 factor and the in-lens focusing motors could be more efficient in these more expensive lenses. But just a suspicion, not proven yet.

 

[BackdoorArts]

If you could try a Nikon 300 2.8 with the D750 you might be surprised at the speed of auto-focus as well. I suspect the 2.8 factor and the in-lens focusing motors could be more efficient in these more expensive lenses. But just a suspicion, not proven yet.

Agreed. Wherein lies the rub. For a shooter like me, beyond the normal amateur but far from the needs of a true pro, at one point do the real differentiators make that much of a difference regarding what's in my hand? Do they justify a brand switch or is "close enough" here and "I'm already ahead" there just mean I'm merely trading pro and con columns? In the end, I suspect that it's a decision that will be made by where technology goes or where my emotions lead me and not by anything currently sitting in my living room.

 

[Blacktop]

If you could try a Nikon 300 2.8 with the D750 you might be surprised at the speed of auto-focus as well. I suspect the 2.8 factor and the in-lens focusing motors could be more efficient in these more expensive lenses. But just a suspicion, not proven yet.

I was thinking the same . After 6 months of using this cam I'm still shocked at the AF in this thing even without a pro lens like the 300mm f/2.8

Good luck solving your dilemma @BackdoorHippie

 

[Blacktop]

Agreed. Wherein lies the rub. For a shooter like me, beyond the normal amateur but far from the needs of a true pro, at one point do the real differentiators make that much of a difference regarding what's in my hand? Do they justify a brand switch or is "close enough" here and "I'm already ahead" there just mean I'm merely trading pro and con columns? In the end, I suspect that it's a decision that will be made by where technology goes or where my emotions lead me and not by anything currently sitting in my living room.

I've been trying to stay out of this thread for a while, but can no longer do so.
Why exactly does it have to be either or? You got all the high quality Canon stuff you can play with for free as long as you want and still hold on to your high quality Nikon gear at the same time.
I wouldn't look at this as a problem, but more of a dream come true.

The only "problem" might be, is deciding which Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens to get. Nikon or Canon mount. (that is if I'm correct about assuming that is the lens that you're talking about)

If you were to take the Nikon 200-500mm into serious consideration you would not have this problem.

 

[hark]

I've been trying to stay out of this thread for a while, but can no longer do so.
Why exactly does it have to be either or? You got all the high quality Canon stuff you can play with for free as long as you want and still hold on to your high quality Nikon gear at the same time.
I wouldn't look at this as a problem, but more of a dream come true.

The only "problem" might be, is deciding which Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens to get. Nikon or Canon mount. (that is if I'm correct about assuming that is the lens that you're talking about)

If you were to take the Nikon 200-500mm into serious consideration you would not have this problem.

If I'm not mistaken, I think Jake previously mentioned how difficult it would be to be fluent in two completely different systems. Since the cameras aren't similar in how they operate, he wanted to stick with one brand for the sake of being comfortable to make really fast settings changes.

 

[Blacktop]

If I'm not mistaken, I think Jake previously mentioned how difficult it would be to be fluent in two completely different systems. Since the cameras aren't similar in how they operate, he wanted to stick with one brand for the sake of being comfortable to make really fast settings changes.

Not knowing anything about the Canon system, I will now gracefully bow out of this thread.

 

[BackdoorArts]

It eventually has to be an either/or decision, even if it's a question about what I'm going to go out and shoot with on any given day? Do you realize how much space this stuff takes up?! Do you realize how different the function placement is?! Do you realize how different the menus are?! From a purely functional point as a photographer it's necessary to settle on one if only so you don't have to think about the stuff you shouldn't have to think about. And once you choose a preference it makes no sense to hold onto the other side unless you like clutter, because the truth is you'll never use it - I know, I have guitar cases that haven't been opened in half a decade.

Until you sit with the stuff in your house looking at how much there really is, and go out and shoot with both like I did yesterday, you don't realize how quickly a "dream come true" becomes a nightmare. You can't carry go out with 5 lenses and 2 bodies of each type simultaneously and actually shoot the stuff I do without sherpas, and I dare you to try!!

I'm not saying that it's not an amazing opportunity - it is!! What I am saying is that it's an opportunity thrust upon me and not one I was looking for, and I need to decide whether my decision is going to be made purely from a scientific and economic point of view, or whether or not I will allow other purely emotional factors (which play to both sides) to enter in and if so how much weight do I give them? Truth is, if it was anyone other than my brother asking me to consider this I wouldn't have agreed in the first place.

As for the lens, no, it's not the one I'm talking about, because Sigma will actually change the mount on any of their Contemporary, Art and Sports series lenses from Nikon to Canon (and vice versa) for free for the original owner. That would be an easy decision. LOL

 

[hark]

Jake, don't put any pressure on yourself to get up to speed quickly with shooting Canon. I know you will want to be fluid with making changes, but....

Here's what I'm thinking...learning how to operate the Canon will be similar to a guitarist who plays amazingly but who doesn't know how to read notation. It is so frustrating for a guitarist to learn to read music that many give up because they can't learn it quickly enough. Most likely in your head you will be comparing all the Canon setting changes to your Nikon.

Hint...keep a user manual with you at all times when out shooting!

 

[Blacktop]

It eventually has to be an either/or decision, even if it's a question about what I'm going to go out and shoot with on any given day? Do you realize how much space this stuff takes up?! Do you realize how different the function placement is?! Do you realize how different the menus are?! From a purely functional point as a photographer it's necessary to settle on one if only so you don't have to think about the stuff you shouldn't have to think about. And once you choose a preference it makes no sense to hold onto the other side unless you like clutter, because the truth is you'll never use it - I know, I have guitar cases that haven't been opened in half a decade.

Until you sit with the stuff in your house looking at how much there really is, and go out and shoot with both like I did yesterday, you don't realize how quickly a "dream come true" becomes a nightmare. You can't carry go out with 5 lenses and 2 bodies of each type simultaneously and actually shoot the stuff I do without sherpas, and I dare you to try!!

I'm not saying that it's not an amazing opportunity - it is!! What I am saying is that it's an opportunity thrust upon me and not one I was looking for, and I need to decide whether my decision is going to be made purely from a scientific and economic point of view, or whether or not I will allow other purely emotional factors (which play to both sides) to enter in and if so how much weight do I give them? Truth is, if it was anyone other than my brother asking me to consider this I wouldn't have agreed in the first place.

As for the lens, no, it's not the one I'm talking about, because Sigma will actually change the mount on any of their Contemporary, Art and Sports series lenses from Nikon to Canon (and vice versa) for free for the original owner. That would be an easy decision. LOL

I have no idea what to tell you man. I just hope that the fellas on the Canon forum are as nice as we are here.
I can't even tell you what I would do not knowing anything about Canon stuff.
I just made a suggestion because I saw that you were in need of one. A friendly gesture so to speak.
Good luck.

 

[BackdoorArts]

Pete, just so you know, I'm just sharing the journey more than I'm looking for ideas. And I never took your suggestions as anything other than friendly.

This is the culmination of a 5 year conversation between me and a long time Canon pro that I used to share a bedroom with growing up. He's essentially given me the opportunity to see how the other half lives, and that's awesome. It's the best part about all of this and something that will make me a more knowledgeable photo-geek on the back end no matter what. The tough part is that I'm sort of being backed into a corner and being asked to seriously consider making a change I would have never considered making on my own - at least with all other things being equal. If it was any other guy with a Canon shirt on I'd say, "Thanks, but no thanks. At least not now." For blood you do things you might not otherwise do for reasons that go beyond logic. The fact that I've been given all this time and equipment to "help" me make it is both the best and worst part of it.

 

[sonicbuffalo_RIP]

I'd jump on it. Not saying I'd switch but I'd definitely give Canon a thorough workout. With the exception of all the reviews of the D750, I'd have to say Nikon has become more of a disappointment in the last year. As I said, "except for the D750". Good luck in whatever you decide. I know you'll do well.